The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-06-23
MIR. LAMAR'S CHANCES
FORsUCCEEDIKGJ JUSTICE WOODS
ON THE BENCH
or the Supreme Court OF the
United states Very Fiat.
teEiDg.

WAsHISaToN, June 22.--Spe culation
as to whom The President will appoint
to fill the vacancy on the Supreme
bench occasioned by the death OF
Justice Woods, continues, but spscu-
lation is fast giving way In the minds
OF the wiser ores, at leaat, to something
more substantial. One fact Ia known,
and that is that the new Justice
will be Southern man. Since
Justice Campbell, of Louisiana, re
signed from the Supreme Bench
and cast his fortunes with his State, no
Southern man distinctive In character,
birth and opinion has represented
this section in the highest Judicial
tribunal CT this country. Justice
Woods was from Alabama, but was
born in the Nerth, and did not repre-
sent the sentiments OF the people Of
bis eection at the time OF his ele-
walton.
In looking over the vast section for
a suitable man, one qualified in the
law, a Representative of her hopes in
the future, while sympathjzing with
but acknowledging her error in the
past, the public mind has instinCtively
conferred upon Secretary Lamar. No
man in the South Is more popular, none
more honored. A psrticipator with her
sons in the late war he shared the
peris that enveloped them on the
fields. Conquered, he gave to his
countrymeD, in the dark days that
followed, the benefit of a wise aud
conservative mind. His couree 30 en-
deared him to his people that there
was no honor but what he could CON-
mRnd, no place in their power to be.
stow but what he could have had for
the asking. Adverse to rather
than forward in accepting public
trust in 30 critical period OF his
country's history, he 60 conducted
himself by his wise discretion, Judi
cious treatment OF public questions
and cool and calm manner in the most
heated controversies In the public TO-
rum that he came to be looked upon,
throughout the South, as the type Of
the Southern statesman. He is 80 re-
garded today. His course then stands
him In good stead now, and while
States may have local candidates for
the position on the Supreme bench,
Secretary Lamar practically has the
solid South at his back. II is known
among his friends that he would &C.
cept the position, aud his friends be-
lisve that the President will appoint
him.
All the political signs now point in
that direction. Should Secretary
Lamar be appointed the prevailing
impression is that Assistant Secretary
Muldiow will be his successor. Com.
missioner Sparks is also spoken OF in
the same connection, and has for
midable backing. While the friends
OF Secretary Lamar are confident,
Circuit Judge Jackson, OF Tennes-
see, has many friends here
who think he Is the coming
man. His course in the Senate so
tsvorably impressed the president that
he appointed him to his present posi-.
ton. They point to his peculiar ct.
ness, and while not discreditinV the
legal knowledge of Secretary Lamar,
assert that during his whole career he
has not had opportunity tol apply
practically his legal requirements.
He is, they assert, mere Of q
lawyer in theory than in prac.
tice, Having entered public life early
and then PLUNGED Ato the war,
thenes into politics again, they assert
he does not possess that trained mind
accustomed to apply the principles OF
the law as does Judge Jackson. These
two men are now the only prominent
southern men mentioned here, and Il
seems probable that one or the other
will be honored by the President BY
being placed on the Supreme Bench Of
the United States.